The Best Gorilla Family to Trek in Bwindi – Bwindi National Park is located in the districts of Kisoro, Kanungu, and Kabale in southwestern Uganda. The major tourist attractions are the mountain gorillas, with a population of about 459 individuals out of the 1,063 individuals left in the wild. This has attracted many visitors worldwide, making Bwindi a major mountain gorilla trekking destination.
Bwindi covers an area of about 321 sq km and is home to not only endangered mountain gorillas but also other primates such as black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, baboons, chimpanzees, De Brazza monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, potto, Demidoff’s galago, and spectacled galago.
Other wildlife species include birds, butterflies, amphibians, elephants, geckos, and chameleons.
Best Gorilla Family to Trek
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has 20 gorilla families available for trekking by visitors, found in different sectors of the park such as Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo.
The best gorilla family to trek is the Mubare Gorilla family, found in the Buhoma sector of the park, with only 9 members. This was formed in 1991 as the first to be documented and was originally led by a dominant silverback, Ruhondeza, the founder of the group, followed by Kanyonyi, and now headed by Maraya.
This family was fully habituated in Mubare Hills deep within Bwindi Forest in 1998. The group was named Mubare after the gorgeous Mubare Hills where this group was first spotted.
The gorilla family is known for infanticide, with the group leader at that time, Ruhondeza, notoriously killing infants to eliminate competition for leadership. Ruhondeza died a natural death on June 26, 2012, and Kanyonyi, a lone surviving male, took over leadership.
However, in 2017, Maraya took over leadership after engaging in a violent fight with Kanyonyi, leading to Kanyonyi’s death. Some members of this group include Kashudwe, Muyambi, and Malaika.
Mubare is considered the best gorilla family because of its rich history, being the oldest, most popular, and easiest gorilla group to trek, found in the Buhoma sector of the park, with very few members. This family can be tracked for half an hour to 4 hours.
Other Gorilla Groups in Bwindi
Habinyanja Gorilla Family
This gorilla family resides around the Nyamishamba Hills in the Buhoma sector, led by a dominant silverback, Makara. Its habituation started in 1996. Later on, the group split to form another subgroup called Rushegura. Currently, the Habinyanja group consists of 1 silverback, 4 blackbacks, 4 sub-adult males, 4 adult females, 2 juveniles, and 1 infant, totaling 16 individuals.
Rushengura Gorilla Family
This gorilla family was formed in 2002 and derives its name from Ebishegura, a species of trees found in the family’s hangouts. This family comprises 17 individuals, headed by a dominant silverback, Kabukojo, who leads 4 blackbacks, 4 adult females, 4 juveniles, and 4 infants.
Originally, the group was formed when a silverback from the Habinyanja group decided to establish his own group. The Rushengura family roams through the gardens of the Gorilla Forest Camp.
Katwe Gorilla Family
This is one of the new groups in the Buhoma region, opened for trekking in August 2018. This family consists of 7 individuals led by a dominant silverback. The emergence of this new group has boosted gorilla trekking in the region as gorilla permits are in high demand.
Bitukura Gorilla Family
This family consists of 13 members, including 4 silverbacks, 4 adult females, 2 juveniles, and 3 infants, headed by a dominant silverback, Ndahura. This group is found in the Ruhija area.
Its name is derived from a river where the individuals were first spotted. This family is unique as the members have strong bonds and engage in group meetings.
Bushaho Gorilla Family
This family is found in the Nkuringo area of the park and has 8 members, led by Bahati, the dominant silverback. The members include 1 blackback, 3 adult females, 1 sub-adult, 1 juvenile, and 1 infant. This family split from the Nkuringo family, a renowned group in the southern sector of Bwindi.
Its name was derived from a topological feature where they predominantly forage. The emergence of this new group has led to ongoing monitoring efforts by conservationists to better understand and manage the group’s dynamics.
Other Tourist Activities
- Birdwatching
- The Batwa cultural experience
- Forest walks
- Mountain biking
- Buhoma community walks
- Lake Mutanda visit
Cost of Gorilla Permit
A gorilla permit costs about USD 700.
How to Acquire a Gorilla Permit
Gorilla permits are secured and bought at the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Tourists are advised to book in advance.
Best Time to Visit
Gorilla trekking takes place all year long, but the best season is the dry season from June to August and December to February because gorillas are easier to trek and trails are drier.
Accommodation
- Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Bwindi Oregano Lodge
- Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Karungi Camp
- Nshongi Camp
- Gorilla Hills Eco Lodge
- Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Simultaneously, all gorilla families are friendly, and it is adventurous while trekking as tourists get to learn the behavior of gorillas.
